India-bound BMW 1 Series facelift revealed with new front and rear fascias - IAB Report

16/01/2015 - 08:01 BMW 1 Series, BMW, 2015 Geneva Motor Show Anjan Ravi

The refreshed 1 Series will debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

The veil has come off the 2016 BMW 1 Series Facelift, ahead of a public premiere announced to take place at the Geneva Motor Show in the first week of March. The refreshed 1 Series is expected to launch in India by the end of this year.

2016 BMW 1 Series facelift front — The refreshed 1-er sports new headlights with optional LED lighting.

The front fascia gets a full redesign with new, slimmer headlights, a slightly larger grille and a new bumper. Often criticized for its design, the refreshed 1 Series aims to address that with a look inspired by the new 2 Series. It now gets LED daytime running lights as standard, while full LED headlights with LED high-beam assist can be ticked on the optional extras.

Towards the sides, the 2016 1 Series gets slightly flared wheel arches and new character lines, not to mention new alloy wheels patterns.

Designers have opted to redesign the rear as well, which now gets 2-piece taillights with L-shaped graphics and LED technology. The rear bumper is all new too.

2016 BMW 1 Series facelift rear — The 2016 1-er gets new two-piece taillights with LED tech.

Inside, the 1 Series facelift benefits from new upholstery options, and chrome surrounds for the buttons and knobs near the iDrive controller. Speaking of the iDrive system, the 1 Series comes standard with a 6.5-inch unit or a larger 8.8-inch screen which is part of the optional extras.

BMW has also updated the engine lineup of the hatchback. In the Indian market, the 1 Series comes in the 116i and 118d specs. The 116i (1.6-liter four-cylinder) will now be a 1.5-liter three-cylinder motor capable of 109 bhp and 180 Nm of torque. The 118i however gets the former 116i's engine - a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 136 bhp and 220 Nm of torque.